function SetPhrase(Phrase) { switch(Phrase) { case "Aerarium" : PhraseText="The Roman treasury"; break; case "Ad Bestias" : PhraseText="'To the beasts' A form of execution performed publicly in the amphitheatre. The condemned was led into the arena and often tied to a stake. Then wild animals, mainly wolves, were released to rip the victim apart and eat him"; break; case "Agger" : PhraseText="A flat area on either side of a Roman road which was between 30-40 ft (12-15 metres) wide"; break; case "Ala" : PhraseText="A unit in the cavalry comprising 500 men"; break; case "Alimenta" : PhraseText="A scheme devised to help the poor by providing allowances"; break; case "Amica Principis" : PhraseText="A rank that was not actually official, but gave credence to friends of the emperor"; break; case "Amphitheatre" : PhraseText="An open air arena surrounded on three sides by seating. It was used for the more violent blood sports and public executions"; break; case "Amphora" : PhraseText="A large container made from clay that was used in the transport of wine, oil and non perishable items that could not be placed in a wooden case. It later became a unit of measure for liquids"; break; case "Andabatae" : PhraseText="Gladiators who wore wore helmets without eye holes"; break; case "Annona" : PhraseText="A form of taxation that was paid not by money, but in the form of grain. This was used to help supply the legions with basic rations"; case "Annona militaris" : PhraseText="A form of taxation that was paid not by money, but in the form of grain. This was used to help supply the legions with basic rations"; break; case "Antoninianus" : PhraseText="A silver coin worth about 2 denarii"; break; case "Aqueduct" : PhraseText="A channel that was built to carry water from springs and rivers to the towns"; break; case "Aquila" : PhraseText="The standard that was carried into battle and was the symbol of the legion. It was highly honoured by the units and they would consider it a great disgrace to have it fall into enemy hands. The carrier of the standard was know as the Aquilifer"; break; case "Aquilifer" : PhraseText="The soldier designated to carry the legion's standard (Aquila)"; break; case "Augurate" : PhraseText="A distinction rather than a position of office"; break; case "Augurs" : PhraseText="One of the four orders of priesthood"; break; case "Augustus" : PhraseText="A distinction instigated by Octavius in 27BC and assumed by all subsequent emperors. Previously 'Caesar' had been the highest accolade"; break; case "Aureus" : PhraseText="A gold coin that was superseded by the Solidus"; break; case "Auxilia" : PhraseText="Auxiliary military units attached to the legions. There were about 150,000 soldiers serving a auxiliaries. They were not Roman citizens, but were granted citizenship on retirement"; break; case "Ballista" : PhraseText="A weapon that was used to fire metal arrows up to 500 yards at a speed of 115mph"; break; case "Barbarian" : PhraseText="A Greek word used by the Romans to describe any foreign tribe who had not been Romanised"; break; case "Basilicas" : PhraseText="In the town centres, these were halls where meetings were held. They were found next to the Forum"; break; case "Britannia" : PhraseText="The Roman name for Britain"; break; case "Bulla" : PhraseText="A charm worn by young Roman boys"; break; case "Burgus" : PhraseText="A small enclosure that was heavily defended"; break; case "Caesar" : PhraseText="A distinction given to those who were not emperors, but were generally believed to be the heir to the throne. This was one stage down from the distinction of Augustus"; break; case "Caludarium" : PhraseText="The hottest room in a Roman baths"; break; case "Capitol" : PhraseText="The centre of a town"; break; case "Catervarii" : PhraseText="Glaiators who fought in groups rather than pairs"; break; case "Celtic" : PhraseText="A general tern used to describe the tribes of Northern Europe during the Iron Age"; break; case "Censor" : PhraseText="An official appointed every four, later five, years to maintain the census of citizens and senators"; break; case "Centuria" : PhraseText="The smallest contingent of soldiers in a legion which consisted of 10 men. They were grouped into units of 10, giving a total of 100 troops under the command of a Centurion"; break; case "Centuriation" : PhraseText="A system for dividing land into blocks"; break; case "Centurion" : PhraseText="A rank in the Roman army. As the name implies, a centurion had 100 men in his command"; break; case "Civitas" : PhraseText="The name given to a territory occupied by a conquered tribe"; break; case "Civitas capitals" : PhraseText="The name given to the capital town in the territory occupied by a conquered tribe"; break; case "Civitates peregrinae" : PhraseText="A region withing a Roman province where the inhabiants were not actually Roman citizens, but were allowed a certain amount of self government."; break; case "Civium Romanorum" : PhraseText="An award given to non Romans on accepting Roman citizenship. Auxiliary units in the Roman army consisted of non citizens and they would receive this award for actions beyond the call of duty. This entitled them to display this distinction 'CR' in the unit's designation"; break; case "Client" : PhraseText="States in a Roman province that had their own rulers, but were governed by Rome"; break; case "Client King" : PhraseText="A ruler of a territory within a province, or a ruler of a whole province who was allowed to reign over his people.
This award was made to anyone who had aided the Romans. For example, not opposing an invasion.
These kings were actually nothing more than figureheads, taking their orders from Rome."; break; case "Clentela" : PhraseText="A leader in a Roman province who accepted responsibilities on behalf of their Roman masters"; break; case "Cohort" : PhraseText="A military unit within a legion. There were 10 cohorts, each divided into six centuries within each legion. The name also applies to infantry units with the auxiliary army and to units within the Praetorian Guard"; break; case "Cohors equitata" : PhraseText="A military unit that was part infantry, part cavalry"; break; case "Colonia" : PhraseText="A town consisting of retired military personnel. On retirement, a soldier was given a regular income, a home and an allotment of land. Colchester was one such town in Britain"; break; case "Colony" : PhraseText="A town in a Roman province where Roman citizens settled. Especially applies to retired Roman soldiers. In Britain, the largest colony was in Colchester"; break; case "Comitatense" : PhraseText="A unit of the emperor's forces. A division in the imperial army"; break; case "Comitia" : PhraseText="A republican assembly of magistrates that passed laws, but had limited powers"; break; case "Consistorium" : PhraseText="A council of state. The supreme law court"; break; case "Consul" : PhraseText="In the Republic, there were two officials who were appointed each year to the role of consul. In the case of emperors, they were the highest consuls in the land. The title was renewed every year. If a number follows the title, it applies to an emperor and refers to the number of years he has been chief consul"; break; case "Consularia insignia" : PhraseText="An award given to governors of Roman provinces"; break; case "Conubium" : PhraseText="The right given to a Roman citizen that enabled them to marry and raise a family"; break; case "Damnatio" : PhraseText="A condemnation bestowed on an disliked emperor after he died"; break; case "Deification" : PhraseText="A status given to an emperor after his death. This raised his standing to the status of a god"; break; case "Denarii" : PhraseText="Plural of Denarius. A silver coin of which there were 25 to a gold piece"; break; case "Denarius" : PhraseText="A silver coin of which there were 25 to a gold piece"; break; case "Depinti" : PhraseText="The writing on a vessel indicating the nature and volume of the contents"; break; case "Deposita" : PhraseText="The money in a bank that belonged to individual soldiers"; break; case "Deus ex machina" : PhraseText="'God from the machine' In a Roman play, the author would often reach the end of the performance and be totally stuck for an ending. So he would write in a sequence where a god would appear and magically solve the problems of all the characters"; break; case "Dilectus" : PhraseText="A man chosen for military service"; break; case "Dimacheri" : PhraseText="Gladiators who fought with two swords"; break; case "Dioceses" : PhraseText="Administrative groups created by emperor Diocletian. When they were set up there were 13 dioceses, but this number increased later. They were governed by a Praetorian Prefect"; break; case "Diocletianic" : PhraseText="A code of pricing. This set the standard prices for goods and services"; break; case "Divi Nervae Filius" : PhraseText="'Son of the deified Nerva' A title assumed by many emperors to indicate their descent from a previous emperor"; break; case "Divus" : PhraseText="A term meaning 'God'. This was applied to an emperor after he had died and had been deificated. (Promoted to the status of a god)"; break; case "Dolabra" : PhraseText="A long handled tool with a metal head having a pick at one end and a hoe at the other. This was carried by soldiers and used for digging ditches"; break; case "Dominus noster" : PhraseText="Literally 'Our Lord.' A term applied to emperors from the 4th century onwards"; break; case "Domus" : PhraseText="A Roman family house"; break; case "Duplicarius" : PhraseText="A junior officer in an auxiliary military unit"; break; case "Equites" : PhraseText="In the Roman Republic, a class that was just below the level of senator. They were also know as 'knights' and had control over administration and finance"; break; case "Essedarii" : PhraseText="Gladiators who fought from chariots"; break; case "Evocatus" : PhraseText="A soldier who opted to continue his service in the army after he had been due to retire. Often this was recognised with a promotion too"; break; case "Excubitores" : PhraseText="A new imperial guard instigated by emperor Leo I. They consisted of 300 men drawn from Asia Minor"; break; case "Fascina" : PhraseText="A harpoon used by gladiators"; break; case "Fort" : PhraseText="A permanent base for units of auxiliary troops"; break; case "Fortress" : PhraseText="The permanent base for units of Roman legions"; break; case "Forum" : PhraseText="The main building in a town centre. Here markets would be held, meetings arranged, speeches delivered and ceremonies performed"; break; case "Freedman" : PhraseText="A slave or servant who had given loyal and trustworthy service and had been given his, or her, freedom"; break; case "Galea" : PhraseText="A visored helmet"; break; case "Galerus" : PhraseText="A metal shoulder piece worn as armour"; break; case "Garum" : PhraseText="A sauce made from the Garus fish"; break; case "Gemina" : PhraseText="The name given to a legion when it had been split into two separate legions"; break; case "Gladius" : PhraseText="The short sword (18'' long) that was used by Roman soldiers. It was used in a stabbing manner rather than by slashing and was a highly effective weapon at close range"; break; case "Grammaticus" : PhraseText="A Roman grammar school"; break; case "Hasta" : PhraseText="A lance"; break; case "Hiberna" : PhraseText="'Under canvas' The name of the soldier's winter quarters"; break; case "Honestiores" : PhraseText="A social, then later legal standing in society. A man born to an influential family"; break; case "Hoplomachi" : PhraseText="Heavily armed gladiators who wore ocrea on both legs and mail or leather cuirasses"; break; case "Hypocaust" : PhraseText="The famous Roman underfloor heating system"; break; case "Iaculum" : PhraseText="A net used in gladiatorial battles"; break; case "Ides" : PhraseText="The middle of a month usually the 13th or 15th"; break; case "Imperator" : PhraseText="After winning a battle, the victorious general would be given this title as a salute from his soldiers. From the time of Julius Caesar, this title was taken as part of the long line of distinctions the emperors would assume. Often a number would appear after the title. This refered to the number of battles the emperor was credited with winning"; break; case "Imperium" : PhraseText="The ultimate administration in the Roman world. They had power of both civil and military matters"; break; case "Insula" : PhraseText="The blocks of buildings within a town. Also an island"; break; case "Iugerium" : PhraseText="A unit of measurement of apx 3000 sq. yards. The was the estimated area of land a pair of oxen could plough un one day"; break; case "Ius Latii" : PhraseText="A status given to a colony where the natives had not taken Roman citizenship"; break; case "Knight" : PhraseText="In the Roman Republic, a class that was just below the level of senator. They were also know as 'equites' and had control over administration and finance"; break; case "Laqueatores" : PhraseText="Gladiators whose primary weapon was a noose"; break; case "Latifundia" : PhraseText="A large agricultural estate"; break; case "Legatus" : PhraseText="A commander of a legion. An envoy. A general. A governor of an imperial province. A deputy to the governor of a senatorial province"; break; case "Legatus legionis" : PhraseText="A legion commander"; break; case "Legion" : PhraseText="The base military unit in the army. Each legion contained 5,000 infantry and 120 cavalry. The soldiers in the legions were all Roman citizens. The number of legions in the Roman army fluctuated between 25 and 33, depending on how many the current emperor decreed there should be"; break; case "Legio" : PhraseText="The base military unit in the army. Each legion contained 5,000 infantry and 120 cavalry. The soldiers in the legions were all Roman citizens. The number of legions in the Roman army fluctuated between 25 and 33, depending on how many the current emperor decreed there should be"; break; case "Libertus" : PhraseText="A slave who had earned his freedom. Also know as a 'Freedman"; break; case "Limes" : PhraseText="A path between two fields. Later a name applied to a frontier"; break; case "Limitanei" : PhraseText="The border troops on the frontiers. They did not move around as the legionaries did, but remained based in one place"; break; case "Lorica segmentata" : PhraseText="The breast armour worn by a Roman soldier. It was manufactured from strips of steel that overlapped and was held together by two vertical leather straps"; break; case "Ludi Capitolini" : PhraseText="The annual games. They lasted for 16 days"; break; case "Ludi Saeculares" : PhraseText="A religious ceremony. The Secular Games"; break; case "Ludus" : PhraseText="A Roman primary school"; break; case "Ludi magister" : PhraseText="A school teacher, especially in a primary school"; break; case "Manicae" : PhraseText="a leather elbow or wrist band mostly worn by gladiators"; break; case "Mansio" : PhraseText="A hostel positioned on a main road. It was a stopping point where travellers could get refreshment, a room for the night and stabling for their horses"; break; case "Martyrium" : PhraseText="A place where a Christian martyr was said to be buried"; break; case "Mausolea" : PhraseText="A stone structure for housing the dead"; break; case "Meridiani" : PhraseText="Lightly armed Gladiators who fought in the middle of the day, after the wild beast fights"; break; case "Mosaic" : PhraseText="A design or scene laid in a floor or wall. This was made of small (about 1 inch square) coloured and glazed tiles laid in a foundation"; break; case "Municipium" : PhraseText="A town elevated in status to allow a mixture of Roman laws and some established native laws "; case "Myrmillo" : PhraseText="Gladiators who wore a large galea with a fish on its crest, a manica of mail, leather or metal scales on his left arm, ocrea on at least one leg, a scutum and a straight Greek-styled sword"; break; break; case "Notarii" : PhraseText="Clerks who kept the minutes of meetings. They were often promoted to senior office very rapidly"; break; case "Numeri" : PhraseText="A military unit of non Roman citizens taken from the local tribes"; break; case "Ocrea" : PhraseText="A metal or boiled leather greave"; break; case "Odeum" : PhraseText="A small theatre with a permanent roof that was used for plays, speeches and recitations"; break; case "Omsilium" : PhraseText="A group of advisors that the Roman magistrates relied upon for advice"; break; case "Oppidum" : PhraseText="A Celtic settlement, often highly fortified as at Camulodunum"; break; case "Ordinarii" : PhraseText="Regular gladiators who fought in pairs in the standard method"; break; case "Ornamenta" : PhraseText="A distinction awarded to a general that conferred the status of a high office, but without the powers"; break; case "Oratio" : PhraseText="A triumph awarded to a general or governor. An oratio had lesser status than an Ovation and a Triumph"; break; case "Ornamenta triumphalia" : PhraseText="An award made to a successful commander"; break; case "Ovation" : PhraseText="A minor form of the award of a Triumph"; break; case "Paedagogus" : PhraseText="A slave, usually Greek, who was teacher and mentor to a Roman boy until he grew to a youth"; break; case "Palaestra" : PhraseText="An open space in a bath house where the patrons could meet."; break; case "Parma" : PhraseText="A round shield"; break; case "Pater Patriae" : PhraseText="'Father of the Country' A title assumed by emperors"; break; case "Patriarch" : PhraseText="The title of the Jewish leaders in Judea. A title given to a Christian bishop"; break; case "Patrician" : PhraseText="The highest class a Roman citizen could attain"; break; case "Pietas" : PhraseText="A duty of those in authority to those under their control"; break; case "Pilum" : PhraseText="The javelin carried into battle by legionaries. Each soldier had two pilums which were thrown towards the enemy at the beginning of a battle. They were designed to spear an opponent's shield, then the shaft would break causing the pilum to make the shield unusable. The shield would then be discarded rendering the warrior vulnerable"; break; case "Pius" : PhraseText="Dutiful to gods, state and family. A title assumed by emperors"; break; case "Podium" : PhraseText="A raised platform, often found in a temple"; break; case "Pontifex Maximus" : PhraseText="The Chief Priest. Head of the four Orders of Priesthood. A title assumed by emperors"; break; case "Praefectus" : PhraseText="A general term used for the holders of different ranks in the military"; break; case "Praefectus equitatius" : PhraseText="An officer commanding a unit of cavalry"; break; case "Praefectus fabrorum" : PhraseText="An officer who had responsibility for the craftsmen supplying services to the military. Blacksmiths, metal workers etc"; break; case "Praetor" : PhraseText="A state official that was one stage below a consul and were elected annually. Many went on to become provincial governors"; break; case "Praetorian Edict" : PhraseText="The statement issued by a Praetor when taking office. It was a manifesto of the actions he intended to pursue over the coming year"; break; case "Praetorian" : PhraseText="The Praetorian Guard. A permanent establishment of nine cohorts, each containing 500 infantry and 90 cavalry. Their purpose was to be the personal guard to the emperor. The official army of Imperial Rome"; break; case "Praetorium" : PhraseText="The home of an officer commanding a unit. This was customary to have this house next to the principia"; break; case "Prefect" : PhraseText="A general term used for the holders of different ranks in the military"; break; case "Primus Pilus" : PhraseText="'First javelin' The chief centurion in a legion. This post was held for one year before he was promoted to a higher status"; break; case "Princeps" : PhraseText="'First citizen' A title used first by Augustus"; break; case "Principia" : PhraseText="The central headquarters building a fort or fortress"; break; case "Procurator" : PhraseText="An agent. Usually applied to employees of the emperor. They could hold a variety of posts from finance to administration"; break; case "Pronuba" : PhraseText="The bridesmaid at a Roman wedding"; break; case "Protectores" : PhraseText="A corps of officer cadets who carried out general duties"; break; case "Provinciae" : PhraseText="The provinces. There were two sorts of province. The 'Imperial Province' governed by a commander reporting directly to the emperor, and a 'Senatorial Province' :overned by a Proconsul"; break; case "Provocator" : PhraseText="A gladiator armed like the Samnite with a parma and a hasta, his opponent was often the Myrmillo"; break; case "Publicanus" : PhraseText="A tax collector. Although they passed amounts collected on to the government, this post was open to corruption and many amassed personal fortunes by withholding some of the monies collected"; break; case "Quaestor" : PhraseText="A junior office held by those who were marked out to become senators"; break; case "Quaestor Sacri Palatii" : PhraseText="The highest legal officer in the empire"; break; case "Quernstones" : PhraseText="The stones used for grinding grain into flour"; break; case "Rationalis" : PhraseText="A high ranking administrator in the finance office"; break; case "Republic" : PhraseText="The period applying to the Roman Empire between 510 and 31BC"; break; case "Retiarius" : PhraseText="A gladiator who symbolized the fisherman and wore only a loin cloth and a metal shoulder-piece on the left arm, and carried a net, a dagger, and a trident or tunny-fish harpoon. One variation on the Retiarius was the Laquearii who carried a lasso instead of a net"; break; case "Rex" : PhraseText="A Roman term for 'King'"; break; case "Rhetor" : PhraseText="A teacher who was a master of public speaking. He would teach the correct manner in which to deliver a speech and address both officials and the public"; break; case "Sagum" : PhraseText="A woolen cloak worn by the Roman upper classes. To own such an item gave the impression of the wearer being in the height of fashion"; break; case "Salii" : PhraseText="An organisation founded in Italy which was associated with a god of war"; break; case "Samnite" : PhraseText="A gladiator who used a scuta and wore an ocrea on his left leg, and acried a galea with a large crest and plume, and a gladius"; break; case "Sarcophagi" : PhraseText="A stone coffin"; break; case "Saturnalia" : PhraseText="On 17th December each year, this was the day of the festival in honour of Saturn"; break; case "Scholae Palatinae" : PhraseText="A section of troops designated to be bodyguards consisting of at least two regiments of cavalry with 500 men in each regiment"; break; case "Scrinium " : PhraseText="A department within a ministry"; break; case "Scutum" : PhraseText="The shield carried by a soldier"; break; case "Secutor" : PhraseText="A gladiator who took his name from the term for 'pursuer' and fought virtually naked and bald, carrying a large oval or rectangular shield and a sword or dagger, wearing an ocrea on the left leg, leather bands at the elbow and wrists, and a round or high-visored helmet"; break; case "Senate" : PhraseText="The Chief Council of Rome. The senate consisted of about 600 members who reported directly to the emperor. Although powerful in their own right, the senate had limited powers. A directive passed by the senate had to be authorised by the emperor before it became law"; break; case "Sestertius" : PhraseText="A brass coin worth four asses, or a quarter of a denarii"; break; case "Severi augustales" : PhraseText="An organisation set up to promote the image and worship of the emperor. It was initiated by wealthy landowners who built monuments and statues to the ruler of the time. They set off the costs by selling statuettes and mementoes of the emperor that citizens placed in their homes as a mark of respect. The main purpose of the organisation was to get its members noticed by the rulers and so advance their own careers"; break; case "Sextarius" : PhraseText="A unit of measurement for liquids. Equal to one imperial pint (0.568 litre)"; break; case "Sica" : PhraseText="A curved scimitar"; break; case "Spelt" : PhraseText="A form of wheat that suited the damp climate of Britain"; break; case "Sponsalia" : PhraseText="A Roman engagement party for the berothed couple"; break; case "Statua triumphalis" : PhraseText="An award given for military service"; break; case "Subligaculum" : PhraseText="A loin cloth"; break; case "Sui generis" : PhraseText="A one off project such as Fishbourne Palace"; break; case "Tepidarium" : PhraseText="The warm room in a Roman baths"; break; case "Terra nigra" : PhraseText="Pottery imported into Britain from Gaul. The British potters later managed to copy the designs and techniques used"; break; case "Terra rubra" : PhraseText="Pottery imported into Britain from Gaul. The British potters later managed to copy the designs and techniques used"; break; case "Tessera" : PhraseText="A tile used in a mosaic"; break; case "Testudo" : PhraseText="'Tortoise' The method used by soldiers to approach an enemy's fortified position. 27 troops would surround themselves on all sides and above with their shields and then advance under cover towards the enemy"; break; case "Tetrarchy" : PhraseText="Founded by Diocletian, this was an imperial system of rule where the empire was ruled by two Augusti and two Caesars"; break; case "Thracian" : PhraseText="A gladiator who wore on both legs, carried a small square shield, wore either a full visored helmet or an open faced helmet with a wide brim, and carried a curved Thracian sword with an angled bend in the blade"; break; case "Toga" : PhraseText="A garment worn on official occasions by Roman citizens"; break; case "Toga praetexta" : PhraseText="The 'toga of youth'. The customary dress for all Roman children on official occasions. It was a white toga edged with purple"; break; case "Toga virilis" : PhraseText="The 'toga of manhood'. When a boy became of adult age, he received this toga which was totally white."; break; case "Tria nomina" : PhraseText="Roman citizens had three names which were referred to as 'praenomen', 'nomen' and 'cognomen'. This was the collective name for these three terms"; break; case "Tribuniciae potestatis" : PhraseText="The tribunician power assumed by an emperor on his ecession to the throne. The title indicated the emperor's right to be immune from prosecution, the right to pass laws, to block any laws put forward. He could also forbid elections and ignore the results of any elections held. The title was renewed each year and the number after the title refers to the number of times the title has been renewed"; break; case "Triumph" : PhraseText="This was the ultimate award given to the winner of a battle. It was one stage higher than an Ovation"; break; case "Triumphal insignia" : PhraseText="This was the ultimate award given to Roman in high office, who had won a great victory"; break; case "Triumvirate" : PhraseText="A group of three men who ruled the empire in place of one emperor. There were three periods of Triumvirate. 60BC - Pompey, Caesar, Crassus. 43BC Marcus Antonius, Octavian (Augustus) and Lepidus. The first one was unofficial in that it was part of Caesar's plan to take control of the empire. The second was officially recognised"; break; case "Turma" : PhraseText="The name given to 32 mounted cavalry soldiers"; break; case "Umbo" : PhraseText="The central protruding boss in a soldier's shield. This was used in battle for thrusting into the faces and bodies of the enemy warriors"; break; case "Vexillationes" : PhraseText="The name given to a group of troops taken from their unit for a specific purpose and then returned once their task was completed"; break; case "Vigilies" : PhraseText="A corps consisting of 7,000 ex-slaves who were the fire brigade of Rome. They also patrolled the streets at night keeping order"; break; case "Votive offering" : PhraseText="An offering or a gift made to a god"; break; case "Woad" : PhraseText="A blue dye the Celts used to paint their skins in order to instil fear in the enemy"; break; default : PhraseText="This item is not in the glossary"; } }